Nasty Rash under my socks

[Mutley]

For those grossed out by personal skin issues, please change channels now. But I really need some advice from others who may have experienced this..

I have just started developing a rash on my ankles, under my sock line. It's never happened before. I'm thinking some sort of heat rash, but it seems more like eczema ? First incident was last weekend in the Grampians. It wasn't particularly hot but it was a big day walking. On reaching camp I took my boots and socks off and BANG, this stinging lumpy rash appeared. More of a burning than an itching. The next day the skin was still red. Since that weekend, the rash develops whenever I wear thick socks and exercise.

Has anyone else experienced this and are there any miracle cures out there ?

I'm willing to post some lovely photos if more details are needed..

[GBW]

Have you changed washing powders lately?

[MickyB]

Have you tried antihistamines?

[TerraMer]

Pictures please

I get that too and put it down to a combination of things including any or all of the following
heat,
friction,
hairs being pulled out by friction,
synthetics and/or elastic on skin,
laundry detergent and
grass seeds.

I reckon the main reason is heat. I walk from first light to last, about 40-50kms. I noticed this rash did not appear during winter when the Nullarbor day temps rarely rose over 15C but in SA it is warming up to 35C (today's warning of a hot summer to come) and the rash has returned. If I stop for a couple of hours in the middle of the day and take my boots and socks off the rash eases, likewise, it has usually gone by the morning.

Some people develop sensitivities to stuff like synthetics, soaps and sticking plasters as we get older. It is annoying but can be tolerated and worked around.

[Swampy460]

I get a (heat) rash under my leather watchband every now and then, I use Fatty Ointment on it and it clears up in a couple of days. May help, but I think it was under prescription.

Swampy

[andrewa]

Pictures, mate, or it didn't happen!

Andrew A

[Chris]

I had the same problem appear suddenly probably around Christmas before last - warmish weather, yes even in Tassie
Absolutely nothing had changed. Mentioned it to GP who prescribed a Cortisone cream. Tried that on one leg and my regular skin cream on the other - no difference.
Eventually realised that I never get the rash if I don't wear gaiters, so I'm sure it's heat rash.
Basically, it's a pest but a price worth paying for walking

[andrewa]

Mutley, I am a GP, so am happy to give some advice from a professional point of view.

"You can talk about a rash as long as you want to, but you only need to look at it for a few seconds to diagnose it".....old Chinese proverb, or similar.

A

[Eremophila]

Yep get this a lot when walking. Have also had it on calves under my Columbia pants when doing a biggish day of walking. Not under gaiters though.
Wil dig around for some pics.
Oh and it's accompanied by puffiness
Never really notice it till I stop at the end of the day/walk.

[Eremophila]

Some pics.... you can see my "cankles" and also the sock indents caused by the puffiness.

[icefest]

Does that happen if you are on your feet all day even when you're not bushwalking, Eremophila?

[Mutley]

Yep Erimpphilla, that's exactly it.

Based on the amateur and professional advice from the forum, I'm off to my friendly and very wise gp next week. I should have done this from the outset. I just hoped there may be a drug free cure. Any naturopaths on the forum ? Thanks to all the amateur and professional doctors for the great advice.

[andrewa]

Looks more like an urticarial type rash, which is a histamine based reaction to something. They are generally very itchy, and the raised red bits migrate around the area randomly. Cause is mostly unknown.

A

[Eremophila]

1. Icefish... No. Would be in trouble otherwise! Only on longish days of walking and probably in warmer conditions. With or without trousers, not with canvas gaiters. Trialled a number of different socks.

2. Andrewa - will need to research your description, but generally not itchy.

Mutley, I've tried various creams/powders/socks. Think it's just an individual thang. The lesser of my problems when compared to blisters (a work in progress).

BTW, the toe ring usually comes off for longer walks, not sure why it was there on this occasion. But hasn't seemed to be a problem so far.

[calliejane24]

I also suffer from rashes during walks. The minor cases generally look like yours, Eremophila. My last bout was several weeks ago and was quite severe - it occurred after walking 12 very hilly kilometres, off-track on Curtis Island - it was warm (30 degrees) and rather humid). The first attachment is a very minor case and the second is the case mentioned above (this was what both of my lower legs looked like, from mid-calf to just above the ankle which generally corresponds with my sock-line and it was worst on the inside of the leg).

I have previously consulted doctors and podiatrists (when it appeared as an ankle rash and swelling. I thought it was perhaps related to fluid-buildup and inflammation as a result of the biomechanics of my feet which is also a problem) but all they could come up with is 'you are probably allergic to Goretex'. I finally ended up seeing a dermatologist and in my case, it is exercise-induced vasculitis, otherwise referred to as Golfer's vasculitis or hiker's rash. It is apparently quite common in people of northern European ancestry (check!).

Perhaps this is something to look into if you don't get any other satisfactory explanation?

Minor

IMG_0119_A.jpg (38.9 KiB) Viewed 33157 times

Severe

IMG_0279A.jpg (45.63 KiB) Viewed 33157 times

[calliejane24]

I should have also mentioned that while I have experienced slight swelling, it's not particularly itchy but feels hot.

[Eremophila]

Wow what a lightbulb moment for me. The term "Golfer's Vasculitis" caught my eye.

2 years ago I returned to Alice Springs to play golf in the Masters Games, having moved away from there in 2011.

First round of golf was ok, on the second day I had this nasty rash which felt like bad sunburn initially, a real burning. Missed the third day's play, my feet were swollen and I couldn't get the golf shoes on.

On the final day's play it returned with a vengeance. I changed into long cotton pants halfway through which didn't help. My last couple of days in Alice were spent wearing jeans in the 40 degree heat to cover this up. It took about 5 days to fully resolve. You can see how puffy my lower legs & feet were.

From browsing a few articles which came up in my google search, it seems the worst area is usually the inner calf, just above the sockline.

All this time I thought it was a reaction to fertiliser or something on the golf course. A very faint patch had started to appear on one arm as well.

At least I have a name for it now, thanks Callie

[Eremophila]

Oh and Mutley, one article stated it's simply due to "heat and age".

[Mutley]

Yep. I'm a hot old bloke.

[GPSGuided]

"You can talk about a rash as long as you want to, but you only need to look at it for a few seconds to diagnose it".....old Chinese proverb, or similar.

Haha! Where did you dig this gem up from? At least it's not a Confucius says...

[GPSGuided]

Looks more like an urticarial type rash, which is a histamine based reaction to something. They are generally very itchy, and the raised red bits migrate around the area randomly. Cause is mostly unknown.

[All caveats of "forum medicine" applies here]
I agree, contact dermatitis like.

Given the location and the socks line, I am wondering if it's related to at least one of the following - Sweat, heat, dust/dirt, pollen/plant based agents or even mechanical. As with allergies, once sensitised, it'll come back repeatedly with future exposures.

Solution? Typically trial and error to get to the root cause (if ever found). Best to go via your doctor so that proper review and monitoring of treatment/s can be provided.

[vicrev]

Just read this thread,after a nice barbie..........Who asked for pictures ?????.......... .....Vicrev

[Hallu]

Had this once, when my gaiters were worn too tight. Doesn't seem to be your case, unless your shoes/socks are too tight. Only had it once, but yeah it was swollen, red, and worse behind the calves. It felt hot in that area, like a sunburn. You've tried different socks, have you tried different shoes ?

[jobell]

Eremophila - I've had the exact same rash on bushwalks. Last time was the 48km or so Trek for Timor in Kangaroo Valley in 2013. I used to put it down to either heat or a reaction to a plant. In hindsight, given I usually walk in long pants to avoid contact with plants/bugs/sun, I'd err on the side of heat rash. It goes away if I ignore it long enough :0)

[Hallu]

Yeah I checked online and it's definitely "golfer's vasculitis" or "hiker's vasculitis", and it's also one of those "we don't know how it works and what makes it go away". No treatment, no cause, just that it occurs more easily with 50+ year old people and on walking people instead of running people, predominantly on hot days. I would try any way to put less effort on your legs : I only had this one time when hiking Mt Murchison with no poles, so I'd try to lighten your pack and use 2 walking poles.

[Eremophila]

Hmmm.... I was "only" 47 when I had the bad bout shown above. It was hot in Alice at the time, but considering I lived there previously for over 20 years, and played golf in the heat for 2 years before I left, I'm surprised I had such a reaction.

Different shoes, yes. Doesn't seem to make any difference

[Angel007]

Socks with nylon might be better replaced by cotton. Nylon can burn the skin.